Can a 240 volt kiln be plugged into a 220 volt outlet? I live in Arizona.

Many countries, including Mexico, have 220 volts instead of 240. The United States and Canada, though, have 240 volts but not 220. You may get a 220 volt reading on a circuit in the U.S. or Canada, but the circuit is actually 240 volts.

Can I fire a 240-volt, single-phase kiln in a building that has 3-phase, 240 volts?

Yes, you can run your single-phase, 240-volt kiln on a 3-phase, 240-volt system. You do not need to rewire your kiln. There is a possibility that a phase can be out of balance by running a single-phase kiln in the building. To be sure, you might want ... [More]

Can I plug a kiln into my 10-30 dryer outlet?

The 10-30 outlet is not approved by UL or the NEC for continuous loads such as kilns. The 10-30 power cord is designed for dryers. To use a 10-30 circuit, the wall outlet would have to be changed to 6-30.

When you buy a kiln that fires too slowly, check the kiln’s voltage. It is listed on the electrical data plate located on the side of the switch box. Make sure the voltage matc ... [More]

How do you suggest moving a kiln without damaging it?

When moving a top-loading kiln out of the way when not in use, avoid pushing the kiln on the stand. This can damage the stand. Instead, lift the kiln. If you move the kiln frequently, get a deluxe stand with casters. The wheels are heavy-duty and des ... [More]

How does one check an electrical wall outlet before plugging in a new kiln?

Small 120-volt kilns (or 100, 110, 115, 127 depending on what country you live in) can trip a circuit breaker if the circuit is also running other appliances at the same time. Here is a quick way to test a wall outlet with a lamp. (This information d ... [More]

How far from the wall should you place a kiln?

A minimum of 12 inches. In addition, please do not fire the kiln in a small enclosed space such as a closet.

I am going to fire a 120-volt kiln and a small air conditioner in a garage that has only one circuit. Any advice?

Your kiln should have a separate circuit of its own. If it fires on the same circuit as the air conditioner, the breaker will trip. Since you have only one circuit in the garage, you will have to run the air conditioner and the kiln one at a time. < ... [More]

I am having a circuit installed for my 27 amp kiln. Later I might get a larger kiln that requires a higher amperage circuit. Should I install wire that can handle the heavier amperage now?

If you install the recommended 10 gauge copper wire that is required for your 27 amp kiln, you will not be able to power your larger kiln on that circuit later on. Since you think you may need a larger kiln later, wire the circuit with 6 gauge copper ... [More]

I am purchasing a used Paragon kiln. I could fit it in my station wagon, but only if I tipped it on its side. Is there any danger in moving a kiln this way? Or should I rent a trailer?

We would hesitate to move a kiln on its side. This could break the elements and damage the lid. The kiln should be moved in an upright position. Please lay a sheet of cardboard between the lid and kiln body to prevent lid damage.

I can’t find the circuit breaker box. Where is it usually located in a building?

Look for a small gray steel door mounted to a wall. The breaker box is usually in the garage or basement of a home. Sometimes they are even in a bedroom closet. Industrial locations such as the Paragon factory have breaker boxes throughout the buildi ... [More]

I have a 120 volt, 60 Hz Paragon SC-2 kiln. We are moving to Europe soon, which has 220 volts, 50 Hz. Can I use my kiln with a voltage converter, or can I rewire it to handle 220 volts, 50 Hz?

You can rewire your 120 volt kiln to fire on 240 volts, 50 Hz without having to use a voltage converter. The two heating elements in your 120 volt kiln are wired in parallel. You will need to rewire them in series. The 120 volt kiln, which will then ... [More]

I have a 16.5” diameter x 22.25” deep top-loading ceramic kiln. I am planning on firing in a laundry room with a window fan. Is a downdraft vent necessary?

We recommend a downdraft vent such as the Orton Vent Master for a medium-size kiln such as yours located in a laundry room. The vent removes fumes produced by firing ceramic bisque and glazes. The downdraft vent pulls a small amount of air from the k ... [More]

I'm installing a 240 volt, 30 amp line for my Ovation kiln. However, there are only 214 volts available in the panel. Will this be a problem? I will cast and slump glass in the kiln at 1000F - 1400F.

Since you are firing to such low temperatures, it would probably be okay to fire your kiln on only 214 volts. Try to fire the kiln as is. If the kiln cannot reach the temperatures you need, you could change the 240 elements to 208 volts. If you insta ... [More]

Is an electrical shutoff box necessary for a kiln with plug if I'm only planning on using the kiln maybe once or twice a month? Would it be all right to just use an existing circuit?

Though we recommend a shutoff box near the larger kilns, it is not essential. It is there for your convenience. (Your local codes may require it, though.)

We recommend a dedicated circuit, which is a circuit that has only one outlet. That pr ... [More]

Is it necessary to disassemble a sectional kiln to get it onto the kiln stand?

It is faster and easier to find several helpers and to lift the kiln onto the stand. That takes just a moment. Disassembling the kiln is much more time consuming and unnecessary in setting up the kiln. However, we recommend disassembling the kiln if ... [More]

Is it okay to locate a programmable kiln outside under a carport or covered porch?

As long as the kiln is protected from the weather and has a roof overhead, it is okay to keep it on a porch even in a humid area. But it will last longer if it is kept inside an enclosed building such as a garage. In the mornings, does water condense ... [More]

Is it okay to plug a kiln into a ceiling outlet?

Most lighting circuits have 14-gauge wire, often extended over long distances from the breaker or fuse box. The ceiling outlet will probably have reduced voltage. That is why we don't recommend it. We also recommend that you avoid plugging a kiln ... [More]

Is it okay to use a substitute for the kiln stand, such as bricks?

UL requires that the kiln be placed on the stand. They perform their safety tests with the kiln on the stand. It is designed to allow air circulation under the kiln. Please do not use a substitute.

Is it okay to use aluminum wire in an electric circuit used for a kiln?

During the mid-70s there was a copper shortage, so aluminum wiring was used in thousands of homes. In some cases the aluminum wasn't installed properly. It was connected to terminals designed for copper. This resulted in loose connections, overheatin ... [More]

My house has copper wires throughout--except for the aluminum feeder wires that go from the meter to the main breaker panel in the house. What do you think of aluminum feeder wires?

Answered by Frederick Page, engineer: The feeder would be fine as long as it was put in by an electrician who was trained and had the right tools and terminals. That is what the public utility put in my house. Trouble occurs when aluminum wire is use ... [More]

Please discuss the grounding wire on a kiln.

The grounding wire on a kiln is fastened to the kiln switch box with a small green bolt. The connection must be tight, because the grounding wire prevents an electric shock should a current-carrying wire come off a terminal and touch the kiln's case ... [More]

Should I follow the electrician’s advice if he suggests a circuit size that differs from your recommendation?

If an electrician disagrees with the kiln manufacturer's recommendation, that is perfectly okay as long as he wants to install a heavier wire gauge than the recommended specifications and he knows what he's doing. The problem is that some electrician ... [More]

Install a fused breaker near the kiln. It will shut off power to the kiln. It is a small electrical box with a lever on the side that you pull down to shut off the power. It should be installed so that it is between the kiln and the door to the room ... [More]

What is the difference between neutral and ground?

Neutral is designed to carry current. Ground is not. The neutral is sometimes called “line neutral.” Ground is also called the “grounding” wire.

What is the difference between using a kiln wired for 208 volts on a 240 volt circuit and using one wired for 240 volts on a 208 volt circuit?

If a 208 volt kiln is plugged into a 240 volt outlet, the elements will receive too much power. This usually shortens the life of the elements. If a 240 volt kiln is plugged into a 208 volt outlet, the kiln will not receive enough power and will fire ... [More]

What should maximum kiln room temperature be for the kilns to operate properly?

A firing room that contains several kilns should be large enough to avoid a buildup of heat. Small storage rooms would not be suitable. The kilns should be spaced about 3' apart to avoid overheating their electrical components. Maximum room t ... [More]

Why does my new kiln not have a cord set?

Most large studio kilns rated to 208 volts are shipped without a cord set and must be direct-wired by an electrician. (This means the kiln must be connected directly to the electric circuit without a plug and wall outlet.)

Would there be anything wrong with putting my kiln on an old kiln bottom and putting an old kiln lid on top of my kiln for extra insulation?

A spare firebrick bottom between the kiln and kiln stand and a spare lid on top of your kiln will add to the insulation. This will probably save electricity. The most difficult areas to heat are the top and bottom of a ceramic top-loading kiln.